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Anonymous wrote:Another place money could be saved: FLES teachers

Oh now the Rs are out in full force.
Where in Fairfax would parents ever say "oh they cut Spanish at my kid's school" & the majority would be happy?

What do you have against Spanish language that you singled it out? Because FCPS offers FLES/LTC programs in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish.

And, what do Republicans have to do with your ignorance?

Because Republicans are the ones who want to cut everything in the name of "taxpayers".

And why is taxpayers in quotes? They are the source of the funding. Or in your world does money grow on trees?

FLES is a "nice to have" program that achieves little. Kids are not going to learn a foreign language through FLES. With budget woes and so many children who need so much else, that could easily be cut.

I don’t think FLES in its current incarnation provides a lot of value, but this forum seems to attract a post of posters who are virulently against teaching foreign languages. It’s odd because American kids are far behind kids in other countries when it comes to knowing multiple languages.

In any event, it’s not directly relevant to school bonds, which are for capital projects, not ongoing instructional costs.

I am very much in favor of teaching foreign languages. However, I can tell you that no child is going to learn a language by a brief class twice a week. I taught in DOD schools overseas. We had a foreign language class twice a week--the kids were living in the country and it was appropriate in that instance. However, the only children who learned the language were the ones who lived on the "economy" and played with the host nation children. They did not learn it from the Host Nation teacher who came in twice a week.

Again, FLES is a "nice to have" program, but, has little value when funds are needed elsewhere.

Since the funds for FLES and cap improvements don't overlap, it is really a moot point.
But yes, let's takea way something that many kids enjoy and gets them prepared for HS and MS language.

At my kids school most kids DO NOT enjoy FLES in fact it turns them against wanting to take a foreign language. While there are some who probably enjoy FLES classes the program is costly and turns off a significant portion of the student population from wanting to learn a foreign language.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another place money could be saved: FLES teachers

Oh now the Rs are out in full force.
Where in Fairfax would parents ever say "oh they cut Spanish at my kid's school" & the majority would be happy?

What do you have against Spanish language that you singled it out? Because FCPS offers FLES/LTC programs in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish.

And, what do Republicans have to do with your ignorance?

Because Republicans are the ones who want to cut everything in the name of "taxpayers".

And why is taxpayers in quotes? They are the source of the funding. Or in your world does money grow on trees?

FLES is a "nice to have" program that achieves little. Kids are not going to learn a foreign language through FLES. With budget woes and so many children who need so much else, that could easily be cut.

I don’t think FLES in its current incarnation provides a lot of value, but this forum seems to attract a post of posters who are virulently against teaching foreign languages. It’s odd because American kids are far behind kids in other countries when it comes to knowing multiple languages.

In any event, it’s not directly relevant to school bonds, which are for capital projects, not ongoing instructional costs.

I am very much in favor of teaching foreign languages. However, I can tell you that no child is going to learn a language by a brief class twice a week. I taught in DOD schools overseas. We had a foreign language class twice a week--the kids were living in the country and it was appropriate in that instance. However, the only children who learned the language were the ones who lived on the "economy" and played with the host nation children. They did not learn it from the Host Nation teacher who came in twice a week.

Again, FLES is a "nice to have" program, but, has little value when funds are needed elsewhere.

Since the funds for FLES and cap improvements don't overlap, it is really a moot point.
But yes, let's takea way something that many kids enjoy and gets them prepared for HS and MS language.

Anonymous wrote:To those who say that our bonds are bloated, remember that Fairfax County is one of only a couple dozen localities in the country with a AAA bond rating from all three agencies.

Just about all local governments use bonds to finance key capital projects like schools. That's the best source of revenue for those kinds of long-term projects without raising taxes. Fairfax County's interest rate on bonds is exceptionally low compared to other localities. Bond debt payments (both principal and interest) is only 10% of the general fund.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another place money could be saved: FLES teachers

Oh now the Rs are out in full force.
Where in Fairfax would parents ever say "oh they cut Spanish at my kid's school" & the majority would be happy?

What do you have against Spanish language that you singled it out? Because FCPS offers FLES/LTC programs in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish.

And, what do Republicans have to do with your ignorance?

Because Republicans are the ones who want to cut everything in the name of "taxpayers".

And why is taxpayers in quotes? They are the source of the funding. Or in your world does money grow on trees?

FLES is a "nice to have" program that achieves little. Kids are not going to learn a foreign language through FLES. With budget woes and so many children who need so much else, that could easily be cut.

I don’t think FLES in its current incarnation provides a lot of value, but this forum seems to attract a post of posters who are virulently against teaching foreign languages. It’s odd because American kids are far behind kids in other countries when it comes to knowing multiple languages.

In any event, it’s not directly relevant to school bonds, which are for capital projects, not ongoing instructional costs.

I am very much in favor of teaching foreign languages. However, I can tell you that no child is going to learn a language by a brief class twice a week. I taught in DOD schools overseas. We had a foreign language class twice a week--the kids were living in the country and it was appropriate in that instance. However, the only children who learned the language were the ones who lived on the "economy" and played with the host nation children. They did not learn it from the Host Nation teacher who came in twice a week.

Again, FLES is a "nice to have" program, but, has little value when funds are needed elsewhere.

Bond debt payments (both principal and interest) is only 10% of the general fund.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another place money could be saved: FLES teachers

Oh now the Rs are out in full force.
Where in Fairfax would parents ever say "oh they cut Spanish at my kid's school" & the majority would be happy?

What do you have against Spanish language that you singled it out? Because FCPS offers FLES/LTC programs in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish.

And, what do Republicans have to do with your ignorance?

Because Republicans are the ones who want to cut everything in the name of "taxpayers".

And why is taxpayers in quotes? They are the source of the funding. Or in your world does money grow on trees?

FLES is a "nice to have" program that achieves little. Kids are not going to learn a foreign language through FLES. With budget woes and so many children who need so much else, that could easily be cut.

I don’t think FLES in its current incarnation provides a lot of value, but this forum seems to attract a post of posters who are virulently against teaching foreign languages. It’s odd because American kids are far behind kids in other countries when it comes to knowing multiple languages.

In any event, it’s not directly relevant to school bonds, which are for capital projects, not ongoing instructional costs.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another place money could be saved: FLES teachers

Oh now the Rs are out in full force.
Where in Fairfax would parents ever say "oh they cut Spanish at my kid's school" & the majority would be happy?

What do you have against Spanish language that you singled it out? Because FCPS offers FLES/LTC programs in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish.

And, what do Republicans have to do with your ignorance?

Because Republicans are the ones who want to cut everything in the name of "taxpayers".

And why is taxpayers in quotes? They are the source of the funding. Or in your world does money grow on trees?

FLES is a "nice to have" program that achieves little. Kids are not going to learn a foreign language through FLES. With budget woes and so many children who need so much else, that could easily be cut.

Anonymous wrote:Remember: tax dollars are not able to be used on school construction/renovations. That money comes from bonds.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another place money could be saved: FLES teachers

Oh now the Rs are out in full force.
Where in Fairfax would parents ever say "oh they cut Spanish at my kid's school" & the majority would be happy?

What do you have against Spanish language that you singled it out? Because FCPS offers FLES/LTC programs in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish.

And, what do Republicans have to do with your ignorance?

Because Republicans are the ones who want to cut everything in the name of "taxpayers".

And why is taxpayers in quotes? They are the source of the funding. Or in your world does money grow on trees?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another place money could be saved: FLES teachers

Oh now the Rs are out in full force.
Where in Fairfax would parents ever say "oh they cut Spanish at my kid's school" & the majority would be happy?

What do you have against Spanish language that you singled it out? Because FCPS offers FLES/LTC programs in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish.

And, what do Republicans have to do with your ignorance?

Because Republicans are the ones who want to cut everything in the name of "taxpayers".

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another place money could be saved: FLES teachers

Oh now the Rs are out in full force.
Where in Fairfax would parents ever say "oh they cut Spanish at my kid's school" & the majority would be happy?

What do you have against Spanish language that you singled it out? Because FCPS offers FLES/LTC programs in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish.

And, what do Republicans have to do with your ignorance?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Additionally to voting no for the first time, I will also vote for Paul Bartkwoski for School Board because this is a cause he will definitely fight for.

From his campaign:
* I will also focus on solving the overcrowding problems in schools without placing burdens on students and families; the two groups who suffer consequences from overcrowding despite having no hand in causing the problem.

No idea what that means in practice. Care to elaborate?

What part do you need further elaboration on, that I will vote against school bonds, or that I will vote for Bartkowski for School Board because, among other good things, he will do something about the overcrowding at McLean HS?

My first assertion is clear: I will be exercising my right to vote. As for Bartkowski, I’ll leave this here for you:

https://ballotpedia.org/Paul_Bartkowski

What’s he going to do about the overcrowding? Be specific.

You won’t answer, which is why Bartkowski’s odds of getting elected currently are slim to none.

It appears that you are confusing being specific with justifying. I only justify my position on any issue when my intent is to persuade, and in this case, I’m only expressing my choices because I believe that each FCPS parent is entitled to their electoral choices based on their own circumstances and sets of beliefs. Attempting to persuade other parents would be patronizing on my part, and in other instances, a waste of my time.

I shared with you information on Paul Bartkwoski, including his contact information. If your concern about his plan to bring relief to overcrowding in our schools is genuine, you can reach out to him and get all the details. Who knows, maybe you’ll get inspired and support his candidacy. If you are just attempting to cause a stir, please be specific on why I should waste my time.

And, have you heard of David and Goliath?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our property taxes are already SO high.

No they're not. Compare us to a state like Texas and we are half of their property taxes and yet we have better schools.

Anonymous wrote:Another place money could be saved: FLES teachers